Thursday, December 17th, 2020
Authorities prep for arrival of 1st COVID vaccines
By Leslie Gartrell
CELINA - Mercer County Health District and Mercer County Community Hospital officials are preparing for the arrival of the first COVID-19 vaccines.
Health district administrator Jason Menchhofer at the board's Wednesday meeting said he is anticipating 200 doses of the Moderna vaccine in the first shipment. The shipment could arrive next week if the Food and Drug Administration approves emergency use authorization. [More]
Ceremony paid tribute to health care workers
By William Kincaid
ST. MARYS - Flashing lights and wailing sirens enveloped Joint Township District Memorial Hospital's parking lot on a snowy Wednesday evening in a rousing show of solidarity with health care officials fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.
Adults and children bundled up in winter coats, hats, gloves and scarves, held aloft signs and cheered as area police, sheriff, Ohio State Highway Patrol, fire and other first-responder vehicles slowly made their way by. [More]
Obituaries on December 17th, 2020
David E. Kuck, age 83 of New Bremen, died on Tuesday, December 15, 2020 at 7:50 P.M. at the Mercer County Community Hospital in Coldwater. [More]
Vicky Koester Barga, 53, Burkettsville, died on Dec. 15, 2020, in the emergency [More]
Ronald J. Westgerdes, age 76, of Coldwater, Ohio, died on Friday, December 11, 2020 at Lima Memorial Hospital. [More]
Virginia Ella (Chappell) Maharg, age 93, of Celina passed away on Wednesday, December 16, 2020 in her home. [More]
Joshua Etgen, 24, Mendon, died on Dec. 16, 2020, in Wells County, Indiana.
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Local pictures on December 17th, 2020
Subscriber stories on December 17th, 2020
District adjusts its quarantine period
CELINA - Public health officials said they are frustrated since the Ohio Department of Health changed the suggested COVID-19 quarantine period to match Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.
Mendon man dies in Indiana accident
CELINA - A Mendon man died on Wednesday morning after he reportedly lost control of his vehicle on slick, snow-covered roads and crashed in Indiana.
68 new local cases reported
WAPAKONETA - Two new deaths and 31 new cases of COVID-19 were reported in Auglaize County on Wednesday, raising the county's total number of deaths to 39 and confirmed cases to 2,491, according to a county health department news release.
COLDWATER - The school district's top administrator is one of 10 Ohio superintendents to receive this year's exemplary service and leadership award.
MONTEZUMA - Village council members on Wednesday night approved a resolution to create a budget fund in anticipation of a major drainage project set for 2021.
NEW BREMEN - Increases in residential real estate values could be reflected soon on property owners' tax bills.
District treasurer Jill Ahlers on W
Knapke productive in first two pro games
The professional basketball career of Luke Knapke has started off well.
The Marion Local and University of Toledo standout has two games in with Hubo Limburg United in Belgium's top-tier Euromillions League.